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Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a type of fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin K is used in these conditons:

Alzheimer’s Disease:

Vitamin K’s role in the prevention/treatment of Alzheimer’s disease has been hypothesized by several researchers. Its possible mechanisms include inhibiting brain calcification (which may be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease) and reducing elevated brain interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels. IL-6 is an inflammatory cytokine that is elevated in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Anorexia Nervosa:

Supplementation with vitamin K may reduce the bone loss (which leads to osteoporosis) that affects women with anorexia nervosa.

Bruising:

Vitamin K (applied topically) accelerates the healing of bruises and helps to prevent bruising. Regular use of topical vitamin K helps to prevent bruising.

Heart Attack:

Vitamin K helps to prevent heart attack by facilitating the removal of excessive calcium from the aorta of the heart.

Miscarriage:

Some miscarriages occur as a result of vitamin K deficiency.

Morning Sickness:

A study conducted several decades ago found that 91% of women receiving 5 mg of vitamin K per day (together with a small amount of vitamin C) experienced total resolution of their morning sickness within three days.

Osteoporosis:

Vitamin K reduces the rate of calcium loss from the bones in osteoporosis patients by activating the calcitonin hormone that in turn down-regulates osteoclasts (bone cells that initiate bone mineral resorption). Vitamin K also inhibits the ability of osteoclasts to resorb bone and inhibits the formation of new osteoclasts. Women with hip fractures caused by osteoporosis have been found to be deficient in vitamin K.

Vitamin K supplementation has been found to increase the effectiveness of ipriflavone for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Studies have shown that supplemental Vitamin K reduces the loss of bone calcium in osteoporosis patients by 35% to 50%.

Rosacea:

Some naturopaths claim that topical application of cream containing 2% vitamin K per day can reduce the redness (erythema) caused by rosacea.

This aspect of vitamin K has not been tested using scientific methods, however topical vitamin K has been shown to improve some other skin conditions.

Stroke:

Supplemental vitamin K prevents the thickening of the brain’s arteries in stroke-prone rats.

The underlying mechanism for vitamin K’s stroke preventative properties is its ability to slow down the calcification of the brain’s arteries and to help to prevent hypertension (a risk factor for stroke).

Tooth Decay:

Vitamin K helps to prevent tooth decay by interfering with acid-forming enzymes on the teeth. Vitamin K also enhances the production of a protein named ostoecalcin that helps to draw calcium into the teeth.

In a clinical study conducted in the 1940s, people who received vitamin K-containing chewing gum after each meal was found to reduce the amount of new tooth decay by 60% - 90% after six to nine months.

Dosage:

1 – 10 mg per day.

Vitamin K cream is applied topically to the skin.

References

Alzheimer’s Disease

· Allison, A. C. The possible role of vitamin K deficiency in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and in augmenting brain damage associated with cardiovascular disease. Med Hypotheses. 57(2):151-5, 2001.

Anorexia Nervosa

· Iketani, T., et al. Effect of menatetrenone (vitamin K2) treatment on bone loss in patients with anorexia nervosa. Psychiatry Research. 117:259–269, 2003.

Bruising

· Shah, N. S., et al. The effects of topical vitamin K on bruising after laser treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol. 47(2):241-244, 2002.

Heart Attack

Mitchell, T. Vitamin K. Life Extension. 6(3), 2000.

Miscarriage

· Hata, Y., et al. [Vitamin K in obstetrics - effects of vitamin K1 on threatened abortion and premature labor.] Nippon Sanka Fujinka Gakkai Zasshi. 19(11):1398-1401, 1967.

Morning Sickness

· Merkel, R. L. The use of menadione bisulfite and ascorbic acid in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 64:416-418, 1952.

Osteoporosis

· Binkley, N. C., et al. Vitamin K nutrition and osteoporosis. Journal of Nutrition. 125(7):1812-1821, 1995.

Stroke

Vermeer, C., et al. Role of K vitamins in the regulation of tissue calcification. J Bone Miner Metab. 19(4):201-206, 2001.

Tooth Decay

· Fosdick, L. J Den Res. 27(23):5-241, 1948.